Columbia Teen Indicted in Long Reach Stabbing Death

A Howard County grand jury has indicted 18-year-old in the stabbing death of Christian Lendell Hall, 17, from Columbia.

Bates, of 9089 Lambskin Lane, was originally charged with first- and second-degree murder and first- and second-degree assault in Hall’s death, according to Howard County police.

The grand jury indictment updated the charges to first-degree murder, first-degree assault, and first and third-degree burglary.

Police were called to the home of Christian Lendell Hall, 17, at the 8700 block of Airybrink Lane--the Sierra Woods apartment complex--around 10 p.m. July 27. He was found in an apartment building hallway with multiple stab wounds, according to police.

He was taken to , where he was pronounced dead.

Detectives said they believed Bates and Hall were involved in a fight earlier in the day at Long Reach Village Center, and that it was personal and not gang- or drug-related.

Later, Bates came to Hall’s home to fight him again, where he forced himself into Hall’s apartment, stabbed him multiple times and fled on his bicycle, police said.

Bates returned to his home and was driven to Howard County General Hospital by a family member for treatment of a hand injury, according to the news release.

Bates is being held at the Howard County Detention Center without bail.